Matt Dumba reveals how he turned down Maple Leafs in free agency amidst trade rumours

Before signing as a free agent with the Arizona Coyotes this summer, defenseman Matt Dumba admitted he spoke with several teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. He confirmed it on Thursday after his team’s morning skate at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, but also explained why he turned down the Maple Leafs' offer.

“When the floodgates opened, there was a lot going on I just wanted to be patient,” Dumba said. “I knew I had a house in Arizona so I was waiting on that,” Dumba said, per Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.

Now, the Maple Leafs are seeking a right-handed defenseman despite acquiring Ilya Lyubushkin from the Anaheim Ducks, with the Carolina Hurricanes facilitating as a broker late night, but since they got him for very little, Dumba’s name remains in trade rumours in Toronto. The blue liner certainly could help the club, but you have to wonder how he’d feel about a move to Toronto after he dismissed their offer as a free agent.

The Coyotes are out of the playoff window and are expected to be sellers prior to the March 8 deadline, and Dumba could be their best trade bait to pushed on the market.

Toronto fans got to have a good look at Dumba when the Coyotes were in town last night. He did not record a points, but did shoot four times on net during 23 minutes and 14 seconds of ice time. In 55 games this season, the defenseman has put up has four goals and five assists, always showing off his physical play and shot blocking abilities. He also logged a 50-point season with the Minnesota Wild in 2017-18 and scoring at least 20 points seven times in his career.

While he expects to test the free agency once again this summer, Dumba does not know where he could end up for the next few months.

“I’m sure I’ll be going through that again this summer.”

Maybe he could have that shot with the Maple Leafs if the March 8 deadline finally unites them.

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